Laos Affirms One-China Policy, Senior Official SaysThe Lao government firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and believes that "one country, two systems" complies with China's situation and reunification will eventually be achieved.Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Choummali Sayasone made the remark Monday in talks with Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian,who is here for an official goodwill visit. Sayasone said that Chi's visit occurs at a moment when an all- round relationship between the two countries is developing further, and Chinese President Jiang Zemin's successful visit to Laos last November was a milestone in bilateral strategic relations. He also expressed gratitude for the valuable assistance offered by the Chinese government and armed forces to the Lao people. Chi, the vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor, said that President Jiang's visit to Laos was of historic significance, and the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries during the visit laid a solid foundation for the growth of bilateral ties in the years ahead. "The purpose of my visit is to implement a consensus in the military field, so as to push ahead with friendship and cooperation between the two armed forces," he said. Chi said that the two countries share identical views on pursuing socialism suited to their own national conditions. He added that as the international situation undergoes extensive and profound changes, it is important for them to further enhance good- neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation, push forward a multi- polarity process and properly deal with the challenges posed by globalization, so as to establish a peaceful, stable, equitable and reasonable new international order politically and economically. He also briefed the host on China's situation and the building- up of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Chi reiterated China's stance on the Taiwan issue. Chi is on the first leg of his four-nation tour, which will take him to Vietnam, Cambodia and Nepal. |
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